2 Phoenix-area teens poisoned by laundry-detergent pods

A dangerous new trend called 'Tide Pod Challenge' is becoming popular on social media, but doctors say it could land participants in the emergency room.

Laundry detergent makers introduced miniature packets in recent months such as this one photographed Thursday, May 24, 2012, in Houston. But doctors across the country say children are confusing the tiny, brightly colored packets with candy and swallowing them. Nearly 250 cases have been reported to poison control centers.(Photo: Pat Sullivan, AP)

Two Phoenix-area teenagers were sickened by eating laundry-detergent pods in Januaryas part of a social-media craze that has caused a spike in poisonings across the nation, officials at the Banner Poison and Drug Information Center said.

Kids sharing videos of each other tasting the colorful gel packs have been calling the dangerous dare the "Tide Pod challenge."

Ingesting detergent can cause severe vomiting, burns to the mouth and throat, diarrhea, difficulty breathing and even death.

Maureen Roland, a registered nurse and outreach coordinator at the Banner Poison and Drug Information Center, said the soap packs are more often ingested by young children and elderly adults with dementia who mistake them for candy.

"Children had been our primary concern up until a couple weeks ago," she said.

Roland urged parents to have a frank conversation with teens about the risky activity.

"This is something parents need to address head-on," she said. "You can say, 'I know this is going on. I've seen it on the news or YouTube or wherever.' And explain to them that this is a very dangerous challenge."

Even popping the pods quickly in and out of the mouth can lead to damage, Roland said.

"Unfortunately, the way these products are developed, they can very easily burst in the mouth. Really, all it takes is the moisture in your mouth," she said. "So while you may not intentionally (cause it to burst by chewing), it could push the ingredients into the back of your throat. You might also inhale it into your lungs."

The number of laundry-detergent poisonings in Arizona directly attributed to the social-media challenge right now are few, Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center Director Keith Boesen said.

But the total number of accidental exposures to laundry pods is high.

Last year, there were 238 cases statewide, according to Arizona Poison and Drug Information Center data. In the first three weeks of 2018, there have been nine cases, not including the two Phoenix-area teenagers.

There have not been any deaths in Arizona.

To prevent toddlers and adults with dementia from accidentally eating laundry detergent, parents and caregivers should store the product out of reach and out of sight, such as behind the door of a top cabinet rather than under a sink or on top of a washing machine, Roland said.

If someone ingests the laundry soap, parents or caregivers should immediately rinse out the person's mouth and call poison control at 1-800-222-1222.

The emergency phone line is staffed by nurses and pharmacists 24 hours a day seven days a week and can be used anywhere in the United States.

"Even if they're not sure if there was an actual exposure, they should give us a call and we can help," Roland said.

In this photo made Dec. 8, 2009, Tide Detergent, a Procter & Gamble product, is seen on display at Costco in Mountain View, Calif.(Photo: Paul Sakuma, AP)

Some companies have agreed to make changes to the products, such as altering the colors, to reduce the risk of accidental ingestion, Roland said.

She is also talking to school nurses to enlist their help in educating parents and kids about the dangers.